Houtarou Oreki Classroom of the Elite

Kakeru Ryūen. A tall man with center-parted red hair.

The school requires uniforms but doesn't strictly regulate dress shirts, allowing students to choose from white, pink, orange, blue, and black. Kakeru stands out by wearing black.

However, his attire isn't important right now. He's just burst into Class A's classroom doorway was the subject.

"Who's Houtarou Oreki?" He shouted.

The Class A students reacted immediately. Some looked toward Houtarou, while others rushed to confront the intruder.

Kakeru hadn't come alone — he brought Daichi and Albert. Daichi's face was bandaged, and Albert towered over everyone. Though they appeared to be mere followers, their presence was intimidating.

The three of them radiated hostility, carrying themselves like predators who'd finally cornered their prey.

This was Class A, after all. When someone aggressively calls out a well-known classmate, people react. Some moved to protect Houtarou, while others saw an opportunity to curry favor with him.

Class A had split into two factions: Arisu's and Kōhei's. Yet everyone recognized there was also a Houtarou faction.

His faction was different, though. While he participated in Kōhei's group chat, he hadn't pledged allegiance to either side. Some had even seen him dining with little Arisu. He maintained his neutrality.

And was that such a bad thing? No — being neutral was quite advantageous.

He'd first caught everyone's attention at the start of school by noting the stark differences between the school and the outside world. Thanks to him, everyone gained early access to the school rules. People began to see his brilliance.

While Arisu organized study sessions for what many suspected would be next month's written exam, people noticed something peculiar: since enrollment, Houtarou hadn't taken a single book back to his dormitory.

He absorbed everything during class, needing no review or tutoring afterward. His efficiency was remarkable. Even among Class A's academic stars, this level of ability was extraordinary.

And finally, he Kōhei faction knew he'd secured a position as Student Council secretary — evidence of his connection to the Council president.

He drew attention from every angle.

In this meritocratic classroom where ability and Points ruled supreme, word spread that Houtarou's student ID showed a balance of one million Points.

Naturally, many viewed him as a rising star and sought his favor.

Yet he remained detached; though people messaged him constantly, he never took advantage of their offers. Their attempts at flattery fell flat.

But now — wasn't this their chance?

"Kakeru Ryūen, this is Class A, not a place for Class C rabble like you to run wild." Declared the tall, handsome Masayoshi, his slicked-back hair gleaming as he blocked Kakeru's path.

His first words made the intruder's status clear: a Class C student.

Class A students are good at studying, and some excel in sports too, but of course, nobody in Class A is foolish, so many have been gathering information during this time. And they've gathered information about Kakeru Ryūen.

A violent man.

"Get lost, I'm looking for Houtarou Oreki! Where is he?! Albert!" Kakeru called out to the tall man behind him.

"..." At 175cm, Masayoshi found himself immediately intimidated by Albert's towering 2-meter frame.

Sensing the imminent conflict, Kōhei prepared to step forward.

"Ryūen, is it?" Houtarou spoke up from his desk, regarding him as if he were an insignificant fly, "If you're planning something, you might want to notice the security cameras first. The school won't tolerate such blatant violence. Besides, I don't believe I know you, so stop calling for me."

"..."

Kakeru took out his phone and snapped a photo of him.

"Heh... So you're Houtarou Oreki, right? I'll remember you. Wait for my revenge!" With that, he turned around decisively.

Having already purchased information about the school's rules from upperclassmen, he knew about the Class Points system. Any violence caught on camera would further reduce their already low Class Points.

He had no choice but to leave.

⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟

Meanwhile, Houtarou remained at his desk, chin propped on his left hand. His phone lit up with a message.

『360,000 Points have been credited to your account!』

『Sender - Kakeru Ryūen』

For all his aggressive posturing and apparent anger, Kakeru had already transferred the money before his dramatic entrance.

⍟⍟⍟

T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! I'm constantly translating and the difference will keep getting bigger!

For just $1 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!

That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)

https://www.patreon.com/mrblackwing